ROCKHOUNDS NOTEBOOK: Team learns how to deal with ups, downs of a season

Len Hayward | lhayward@mrt.com

Published 11:32 am, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Photo: Tim Fischer

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RockHounds firstbase coach Rickey Henderson, talks with Hounds' Miles Head as he gets on base Tuesday at the afternoon RockHounds game at CitiBank Ballpark. Tim Fischer\Reporter-Telegram

RockHounds firstbase coach Rickey Henderson, talks with Hounds' Miles Head as he gets on base Tuesday at the afternoon RockHounds game at CitiBank Ballpark. Tim Fischer\Reporter-Telegram

Photo: Tim Fischer

ROCKHOUNDS NOTEBOOK: Team learns how to deal with ups, downs of a season

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Losing streaks and winning streaks are a part of the learning process for a professional baseball player.

Over the last two weeks, the RockHounds experienced both. Midland went through an eight-game slide, much of it on the road, in late April and early May, and then finished off their most recent homestand with a three-game winning streak.

It's not the wins and losses that mattered to RockHounds manager Aaron Nieckula, it was how his team handled each of those streaks that was the biggest concern for him. He said he never saw the squad panic and continue to work through the adversity.

"They responded well, they pulled together, they grinded, they stayed positive and stayed enthusiastic," Nieckula said. "The clubhouse stayed loose, and we have a little bit of an older team. We just continued to work through it, and that's all you can do."

Nieckula said the recent eight-game slide was a test for him and his team, but he said his team handled both very similar and showed a lot about the team.

Midland's eight-game slide began on April 27, losing three games at home to San Antonio and then being swept by Corpus Christi on the road and losing the first game of the most recent four-game set against Frisco last Saturday.

Nieckula said he constantly saw the team continue to work to get better, adding that the players were doing the things they needed to experience success but just weren't getting the results.

"I think that starts with us as the coaching staff, and not to say we are perfect, but any successful coaching staff has to maintain some level of consistency with our emotions and attitude with the way we work," Nieckula said after Tuesday's win against Frisco. "If we are up and down they are going to be on edge and up and down."

HENDERSON IMPARTS HIS KNOWLEDGE

This past homestand had Hall of Famer and current Oakland A's roving instructor Rickey Henderson in town. Henderson has made trips to Midland during his time as an instructor, and for most of the team and the staff they have been around Henderson periodically during his time with the A's.

But this was the first time outfielder Jake Goebbert had had a chance to talk to the legend.

"He really loosens up the clubhouse, and he's a fun guy and someone you can learn a lot from," said Jake Goebbert, who was traded to the A's earlier this season. "To have the opportunity to talk to a Hall of Famer and someone with the career accolades he has is a great opportunity for all of us."

Nieckula said they also "picked his brain" about managing and dealing with players.

"We are all learning, not just the players," Nieckula said. "If you can't learn from Rickey Henderson, there is something wrong with you."

LEON COMING ALONG

Nieckula said that Arnold Leon still is not at his best, but said he saw some good things from Leon in his second start since returning from the disabled list. Leon pitched five innings on Tuesday against Frisco, giving up two runs on three hits with five strikeouts.

That start was a little different from his first start off the DL at Corpus Christi on May 2 where he gave up four runs in 2 1/3 innings.

"I just don't think he's at his best, and I don't think we've seen the best of Leon," Nieckula said. "I think he can command the zone a little better and mix his pitches. But that's going to come with time. He's got plus stuff, he's a major league pitcher ... at least in the future. It was good seeing him go five, which means he can go six the next time. It's very important in terms of his development."

OFF DAY BRINGS

ROSTER MOVES

A number of roster moves were made on Wednesday, the biggest one being outfielder Jeremy Barfield being promoted to Triple-A Sacramento. After Tuesday, Barfield was hitting .242 with three doubles, eight home runs and 18 RBI. Barfield hit a solo homer on Tuesday, which marked the third straight game he had hit a home run.

Other moves made Wednesday were Jefrey Marte being placed on the disabled list because of a leg injury, and infielder Michael Fabiaschi and catcher Ryan Lipkin activated off the disabled list.